FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October
23, 2012

Abt Associates to Evaluate Program That Provides Services, Shelter for Homeless Youth

BETHESDA, MD — Abt Associates has won a $2 million contract from the Administration on Children and Families to evaluate a program that provides shelter and services to homeless youth.

Transitional Living Programs, funded by the Family and Youth Services Bureau, provide supervised shelter and services to homeless youth, who are ages 16-21, for a period of up to 18 months in settings such group homes, host family homes, and supervised apartments. The program also offers services such as basic life skills, educational advancement and job skills.

Under the contract, Abt Associates will conduct a randomized controlled trial to study what happens to youth on a range of outcomes, including housing stability, homelessness, employment, education and health, among other measurements, once they leave the program. In addition, the study will explore, for example, how outcomes differ for youth who complete the program compared with youth who drop out or are expelled.

The evaluation builds on earlier work by Abt Associates for the Family and Youth Services Bureau to understand how Transitional Living Programs function and deliver services to homeless youth.

“Rigorous evaluation of these programs provides critical insights into the challenges that homeless youth face, and how as a society we might better address these challenges,” said Mary Joel Holin, vice president for Abt’s Social and Economic Policy division. “We look forward to continuing this important work with the Administration on Children and Families.”

Dr. Rob Olsen, principal scientist at Abt Associates, is the principal investigator for the study. Dr. Alvaro Cortes, senior associate at Abt, will serve as the project director.

About Abt Associates

Abt Associates is a mission-driven, global leader in research and program implementation in the fields of health, social and environmental policy, and international development. Known for its rigorous approach to solving complex challenges, Abt Associates was ranked as one of the top 20 global research firms in 2012 and also named one of the top 40 international development innovators. The company has multiple offices in the U.S. and program offices in nearly 40 countries. www.abtassociates.com

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Abt Associates is a mission-driven, global leader in research, evaluation and program implementation in the fields of health, social and environmental policy, and international development. Known for its rigorous approach to solving complex challenges, Abt Associates is regularly ranked as one of the top 20 global research firms and one of the top 40 international development innovators. The company has multiple offices in the U.S. and program offices in more than 40 countries.